Indian Boxers Set for Tough Matches at Paris 2024 Olympics

India's top women boxers, including Nikhat Zareen and Lovlina Borgohain, face challenging draws in Paris 2024. Key early matchups include Nikhat against Germany's Carina Kloetzer and Lovlina competing against Norway's Sunniva Hofstad. In men's boxing, Amit Panghal and Nishant Dev also gear up for stiff competition.

Indian women boxing stars Nikhat Zareen and Lovlina Borgohain have been handed tough matchups in the Paris 2024 Olympic draws. Nikhat, the reigning world champion, will face Germany's Carina Kloetzer in the opening round of the women's 50kg category. Her potential second-round opponent could be Wu Yu of China, the top-seeded boxer and defending Asian Games champion.

Wu Yu holds the 52kg world title, while Nikhat is the world champion in the 50kg category. If Nikhat beats Wu, she may meet Thailand's Chuthamat Raksat or Uzbekistan's Sabina Bobokulova in the quarterfinals. Notably, Sabina defeated Wu in the semifinals of the Strandja Memorial, where Chuthamat also secured a win over Nikhat en route to her Asian Games silver.

Tokyo 2020 bronze medalist Lovlina Borgohain draws Norway's Sunniva Hofstad in her women's 75kg opener. A quarterfinal clash against China's Li Qian, a two-time Olympic medalist who beat Lovlina in the Asian Games final, is possible. In the women's 57kg category, Jaismine Lamboria faces Philippines' Nesthy Petecio in her opener.

Jaismine's potential second-round opponent is France's Amina Zidani, the current European champion. Asian Games bronze medalist Preeti Pawar will face Vietnam's Vo Thi Kim Anh in the round of 32. In men's boxing, Amit Panghal and Nishant Dev will start in the round of 16 after receiving opening round byes.

Amit will take on Zambia's Patrick Chinyemba, a 2022 Commonwealth Games bronze medalist, while Nishant faces Ecuador's Jose Rodriguez Tenorio. The Paris 2024 boxing events begin with preliminary rounds on July 27 at the Arena Paris Nord.

(With inputs from agencies.)